Chapter 23

"So that's that," announced Alex as they watched the two un-marked police vans drive off down the drive. Lionel had been formally arrested and placed in one van whilst the terrorists had been placed in the other to be taken to a specialist centre. Dessa would be joining them there, his injuries having been confirmed as not life threatening. Wheels were already in motion to have him extradited back to the US where he would finish his current prison sentence and possibly an additional one.

"I'm sorry that you didn't get the rest and relaxation that you came for," he added looking at Jack and Sue. "But maybe when you come again it will be different! You would like to come again?" he added.

"I would love to," replied Sue. "You live in such a beautiful part of the world, I'd love to be able to explore it some more. How about you Jack?"

"Definitely," he said. "I quite fancy the idea of sailing around the coast."

"Find a few deserted coves," interrupted Jason giving him a wink and nodding his head towards Sue. Jack scowled and looked at Sue to see if she had seen, that was one road he could not go down. Thankfully she had moved away and was chatting with Ana, both had serious looks and Jack wondered what they were talking about.

"We have orders to return to London tomorrow," continued Jack. "Our flights are booked and we should be back in DC by the day after. I've enjoyed my visit, even though it got a little hairy at times. By the way," he added. "Did you get to the bottom of the smuggling matter that Jason was investigating?"

"Yes, it was Lionel delivering supplies to the caves," answered Alex. "He had to do it at night by boat and it caught one of the local's attention who reported it." Jack nodded suddenly at a loss as to what to say. Fortunately, Alex was called away by the telephone and Jason, after giving him a grin, wandered off towards the stables. Jack was preparing to go in and start his packing when Sue came over.

"I think we deserve one last visit to the coast," she said. "It would be a shame to leave without a walk along the beach. Levi and Millie would like it too." She fluttered her eyelashes and Jack groaned and rolled his eyes before laughing, "You get Millie, I'll get changed into something more … clean." He suddenly became aware that he was still coated in plaster dust. "Give me ten minutes and I'll meet you here." He ran off into the house, Sue following behind him at a more sedate pace. She collected a warm coat to wear, snuck into the kitchen for food supplies and to collect Millie's lead and the dog as well, who was curled up in a sunny spot having a snooze. She found Jack waiting by an estate car, the keys clasped in his hand. They all piled in and soon they were off to the north coast and Daymer Bay. It was a tight squeeze, getting the estate down the road to the car park, especially when they met traffic coming in the opposite direction but the location was worth it. The car park was situated above a slight cliff with views across the estuary to Harbour Cove and at the base of the cliff was soft golden sand and slate rock pools. Several brave people were in the water splashing about or body boarding and the squeals of excited children filled the air. They decide to walk along the beach below the sand dunes towards Rock and Levi was given a holiday so that he could run and sniff to his heart's content with Millie.

Sue looked at Jack, there was something about his expression that worried her and she wanted to know what it was. Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to feel more cheerful than she was she took hold of his hand.

"I've enjoyed this vacation," she said. "In spite of everything I feel quite relaxed and rested. Oh I know I got into far too many scrapes but look at what was achieved." She felt Jack tense. "I suppose you are angry that I got into all the scrapes?" she added.

Jack stopped and stared out over the water pretending to watch the sailing dinghy that was making its way up river. Finally he said, "No I'm not angry, not really. After all these years I'm getting quite used to you not doing anything I ask you to. But,"

"I knew there would be a 'but'," said Sue, mournfully.

"But," continued Jack. "I'm finding it harder to distance myself from it, to treat you as just a colleague. I'm finding that I want to rant at you for putting yourself in such danger, for not thinking about consequences and for not thinking about what it would mean to me, us, if anything should actually happen to you."

"But you've always ranted," said Sue. "Remember New York? We had hardly worked together for any time by then and you got angry with me for being … tenacious."

"I know," replied Jack with a huge sigh. "I suppose I've always worried about you getting into some sort of situation that you couldn't get out of. And it's wrong!" Sue looked at him quickly, noticing the frustration and confusion in his expression. She called the dogs and then led Jack towards the sand dunes choosing a sheltered spot where they could sit and talk.

"Don't you think that I might feel the same?" she said, when they were comfortable. "You often put yourself into danger, and I know that it's because you are dedicated to your work and I know that what you do is important, that people are important even if you don't know them. I've struggled for years to distance myself from what might happen and most of the times I fail and then I feel the urge to rant atyou!" Jack look at her startled. "Ana was speaking to me about it earlier and I happen to agree with her. Keeping our distance, being professional is just as dangerous, as harmful as anything that we do at work and I am refusing to continue to deny what we have. Everyone and I mean everyone knows about the bond we share and have done nothing to prevent us from exploring it, we haven't been moved to different teams or different departments, so perhaps they are waiting for us to get out heads out of the sand and do something about it!"

Jack stared at her in amazement, a myriad of emotions flooding through him as he processed what she was saying.

"So," he said. "When we get back to DC you are going to storm into Ted's office and announce that we are an item?" he grinned at her determined expression.

"No," replied Sue, causing a look of dismay to cover Jacks face. "I propose that we storm Ted's office and tell him that we are an item!"

"Yes ma'am," replied Jack, saluting. Just as he began to take advantage of their close proximity and inched his face towards hers they were showered by sand as Levi and Millie slid down the dune bringing half of it with them.

"Yuk!" they both squealed and rapidly shook the sand from their hair, clothes and shoes. The moment broken, they stood up and made their way back to the car; they had clothes to pack.

The following morning a reduced party met for breakfast. They had all gone to a local restaurant the evening before for a farewell meal. Ana and Will had already left as soon as it was light enough for them to fly out of the nearby airfield; a case had appeared on their desks which required them going to Paris straight away. Jason was also on his way back to London having received urgent orders and Hazel and Mike had left to visit friends in Devon. Aunt Judith and Frances were having breakfast in their rooms. Frances and Sue had said their farewells the previous evening and had promised to keep in touch, no decision had been made about Frances' future but she was to stay at Lanpetroc for the next few weeks until her shoulder had healed. Consequently, it was just Jack, Sue and Alex seated in the dining room. They chatted about general things and Sue thanked Alex again for an exciting visit. She wanted to know if he had plans for the tunnels but at that moment in time all he was interested in was blocking them off again. He didn't want anyone else getting ideas about using the tunnels for some nefarious reason. "But I just might explore them a little bit more first," he added, his eyes twinkling. "It would be great if I could find some old smuggled goods or other treasure." But that had to wait for now as Alex, too, had to go to London to brief his department on the recent events and had decided to fly back with Jack and Sue. As the hire car made its way down the long drive to the gate house Sue looked back at the house. The walls shone white in the morning sun and the blue sky above set the house off to perfection. Yes it had been a very eventful visit but Sue had enjoyed it all and now she had something else to look forward to, a new adventure with Jack. She couldn't wait.

THE END

Thank you to everyone who stuck with this and for the lovely reviews which gave me the push to continue. It has taken a long time to finish (breaks for Christmas and getting a new puppy didn't help), so many times I have thought that I was on the last chapter and then found I had more to write!

My Lanpetroc is closed at the moment so I can't wander through the drawing room to the gallery with its amazing plaster ceiling or stroll through the gardens; the magnolias and camellias were beautiful again this year.

Take care and keep safe.